Deck the Halls
Performance & Direction: Deck the Halls Review
Last updated: February 19, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Deck the Halls (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Deck the Halls features a noteworthy lineup led by Danny DeVito . Supported by the likes of Matthew Broderick and Kristin Davis , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Deck the Halls
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2006, Deck the Halls is a Comedy, Family film directed by John Whitesell. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Danny DeVito.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Determined to unseat Steve Finch's reign as the town's holiday season king, Buddy Hall plasters his house with so many decorative lights that it'll be visible from space! When their wives bond, and their kids follow suit, the two men only escalate their rivalry - and their decorating. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Deck the Halls
Ending Breakdown: Directed by John Whitesell, Deck the Halls attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Danny DeVito, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Deck the Halls reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Deck the Halls?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Deck the Halls
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $51.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $47.2M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Deck the Halls Budget
The estimated production budget for Deck the Halls is $51.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Deck the Halls
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Where to Watch Deck the Halls Online?
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JioHotstarDeck the Halls Parents Guide & Age Rating
2006 AdvisoryWondering about Deck the Halls age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Deck the Halls is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, Deck the Halls is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deck the Halls worth watching?
Deck the Halls is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Deck the Halls parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Deck the Halls identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Deck the Halls?
The total duration of Deck the Halls is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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Critic Reviews for Deck the Halls
Stupid, whacky and bonkers... yet enjoyable. I found 'Deck the Halls' fun. Danny DeVito is the film's star, no question. If it wasn't for him I'd potentially be rating this lower, I admit. He gives an amusing performance, while the hearty stuff directly with him works. Matthew Broderick is a little forgettable here but still produces a good display. Kristin Chenoweth is probably the best of the rest, but it's all about DeVito in truth. I mentioned the heart works with the aforementioned actor, but elsewhere it's a a bit hit-and-miss. The final scene, that Chenoweth plays a part in, is very iffy - could've went either way, I just about liked it though. The humour is good, as is the plot - as silly as it is. I also really enjoyed how they did the lights. I got entertainment from this.
It's _a_ Christmas movie. It won't get annoying if you put it on in the background but it will if you sit down and try to play ultra close attention to it. It's _acceptable_. Entire movie is held up by Danny DeVito's acting. Edit January 16th, 2025: Thinking back on this it really wasn't good at all. It has an incest joke and a cross-dressing joke and overall wasn't that entertaining, and I found myself wishing for the movie to end before it finished. As Christian Di Leo said on Letterboxd: > What do you think Matthew Broderick feels worse about? Killing that mother and daughter in his 1987 drunk driving accident? Or starring in Deck The Halls?
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
